BILK

Magazine Overview

This is BILK #49, published in September 1992 by Ulrich Magin, based in Mutterstadt, Germany. The magazine costs DM 15 for a year's subscription (6 issues). The primary focus of this issue appears to be "BEHEMOTH", covering various reports of large, unidentified creatures.

Behemoth: Lake Monsters and Other Creatures

Murtensee, Switzerland

Andreas Trottmann contributes a report about a sighting in Murtensee, Switzerland. On August 5, 1992, Max Mössinger and two companions observed four "blue-black bodies" aligned in the water. Using binoculars, they described the objects as having flat, rounded backs and swimming steadily, creating waves. They estimated the creatures to be between 4.5 to 5.5 meters (15-20ft) long. The witnesses initially thought they might be giant catfish, and the report notes the frequent conflation of submarine and lake monster sightings, drawing a parallel to a submerged UFO case previously reported in BILK 36. The author suggests a logical explanation could be misinterpretation of wave effects or boat wakes.

Loch Ness, Scotland

The issue presents two "new" sightings from Loch Ness. The first, dated 1928, was published for the first time by J.D. McDonald in "Scottish Field". A companion of McDonald's reportedly hauled in a creature described as two to three feet long, with a stumpy grey body and a vicious mouth, bearing no resemblance to known loch fish. The creature was cut loose before being brought aboard. The report also mentions claims of "young Nessies" by Frank Searle and in Dinsdale's books, and speculates if the 1928 sighting could have been a marine fish stranded in the loch, referencing historical accounts of lampreys and other sea creatures caught in the loch.

A second Loch Ness report details "Project Urquhart", a scientific expedition announced in German newspapers. The project stressed its serious scientific nature, aiming to study small loch creatures, sediment layers, and conduct sonar work, rather than find a monster. David Hepple from Edinburgh University expressed interest in undiscovered freshwater molluscs and mentioned a potential secret tunnel between the loch and the North Sea. Reports from mid-July indicated the search was underway. Mr. Chalmers of the British Museum reiterated that the goal was to understand the lake's dynamics. Professor Gwynfryn Jones of the Institute for Freshwater Biology was optimistic about discovering new species of bacteria and nematodes, noting that these discoveries might not make headlines. The report mentions that most press coverage focused on "Nessie", referencing Andrew MacKillop, an 84-year-old monk, who claimed to have seen a plesiosaur-like monster in 1961. MacKillop's claim of 3000-4000 trustworthy witnesses is contrasted with the author's own research suggesting a lower number of actual sightings and misinterpretations. The article notes that the project's name, "Urquhart", and the involvement of Nessie-famed figures like Nik Witchell, led journalists to expect monster news, overshadowing the actual scientific findings.

Other Sightings and Reports

• Siberian Lake Monster: Mentioned in INFO Journal 66.
• ISIS: Jack Arnold, creator of "The Monster from the Black Lagoon", died in spring 1992.
• UFOs: Illobrand von Ludwiger's book "Der Stand der UFO Forschung" includes a picture of a ufonaut seen at Langenargen. The author criticizes the alteration of the image to resemble the Betty Hill alien, suggesting this is how "scientific ufologists" manipulate evidence.
• LEVIATHAN: A report from the "Hamburger Abendblatt" mentions a large creature observed in the German North Sea, possibly a shark.
• KRAKEN: The German tabloid "Bild" reported an "Encounter with a giant Kraken" off British Columbia, Canada, where skin diver Renate Reith encountered a large octopus measuring 10 meters in diameter and weighing 30 cw.
• USO: Reports on earthlights over lakes potentially having natural explanations are referenced, along with information on submarine light wheels and earth light theory connected to water.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are lake monsters, particularly Loch Ness, and UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism, particularly regarding the Loch Ness monster, with the author often suggesting logical explanations for sightings, such as misinterpretations of natural phenomena or boat wakes. There is also a critical perspective on the methods and motivations of some ufologists, accusing them of manipulating evidence. The magazine aims to report on these phenomena while maintaining a critical and analytical approach, distinguishing between serious scientific investigation and sensationalism.